5. The wonderful world of endodontics

Today was the first day of endo lab, among other classes. I spent my morning taking inventory of my supplies and sorting out the teeth that I've been collecting. Even though the course just started, I have a tiny connection to it since I used to assist in the endo clinic a couple of years ago. Looked at root canals, all day, everyday! Hoping my experience will help me this semester.

3. Poetry on Floyd St.

I hear and I forget
I see and I remember
I do and I understand

2. Reading

Vacations are when I get to catch up on reading, one of the persistent loves of my life. I usually have a book or two in the back of my mind that I intend to peruse, but when inspiration is lacking, I turn to best-seller lists and scour the internet/bookstores for any notable potential finds. Sometimes what I end up reading and liking is, for lack of better term, random. For example, Andre Agassi's Open, written by J.R. Moehringer. I won't make this a book review, but it was surprisingly captivating.

My rediscovery of books has carried over through winter break and into my spring semester. Schoolwork hasn't picked up full speed yet, thankfully, so I have the time to indulge a little more. Hence my trip to the neighborhood library this afternoon where, like an addict to the addiction, I got my fix. Yum.

1. First weekend of the year

Had good times catching up with my buddy C, who was in town today.

As a mini side project, I think I'm going to try to do a 365 blog yet again. Let's see how far I go..

Happy New Year!

A very happy new year to all!

Good teachers

I am currently in the midst of the agony that is more commonly known as finals. This is my second and last week, but after starting out strong, at this point I'm burnt out and just dragging myself to the finish line.

But thank God for understanding teachers. For example, I had an exam this morning at 8:00am and set my alarm clocks accordingly the night before. However, tell me why I wake up, and IT IS EIGHT O'CLOCK. In blind panic I make my roommate drive me to school, hoping that I have enough time to take the test, if I can even take it at all. One of my classmates calls me asking where I am, and to hurry up.

As soon as I make it to the test room, the only proctor I see is one of my favorite teachers, Dr. J. He's this little old man who talks really fast, so sometimes it's hard to understand him, but gives great instruction. And needless to say from this episode, he is exceptionally kind. He gives me an individually prepared exam, and starts going on about not to worry, I have plenty of time, that I only lost ten minutes, and makes sure I'm all settled in. I can honestly say it made a big difference in how I took the test, as opposed to interacting with someone who might have been irritated that I was late.

Afterward, when I turn in the test, he tells me, "Did you have enough time? We were all so worried and wondering about where you were, but I'm glad you're fine."

Yeah. We need more people like this in the world.

Tuesday morning verses

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalms 31:24

Just some verses from the past couple of days that have been particularly strengthening and peace-granting.